Patents by Inventor Jean Daunais
Jean Daunais has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8601692Abstract: A method of assembling an outboard engine is disclosed. The outboard engine has first and second driveshafts, each having a helical gear on a first end and a driving gear on a second end. A driven shaft has a driven gear. The method comprises: rotating the driven shaft; measuring an axial displacement of one of the first and second helical gears with respect to the engine casing; selecting a shim based at least in part on the measurement of the relative axial displacement; and placing the shim on the one of the first and second driveshafts at a position axially below the helical gear. A method of assembling a marine outboard engine comprising moving a height adjustment member from a first position to a second position based on the relative axial displacement is also disclosed. An outboard engine with first and second helical gears at different heights is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: BRP US Inc.Inventors: Laverne Tatge, Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 8393924Abstract: A watercraft has an engine, a propeller, an electronic control unit (ECU), a throttle actuator, and a velocity control actuator separate from the throttle actuator. The velocity control actuator is movable between an inactive position and a plurality of active positions. When the velocity control actuator is in the inactive position, the ECU controls a speed of the engine based at least in part on a degree of actuation of the throttle actuator. When the velocity control actuator is moved from the inactive position to one of the plurality of active positions, the ECU reduces the speed of the engine based at least in part on a degree of actuation of the velocity control actuator independently of the degree of actuation of the throttle actuator. A method of controlling a watercraft is also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: BRP US Inc.Inventor: Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 8276274Abstract: A method of assembling an outboard engine is disclosed. The outboard engine has first and second driveshafts, each having a helical gear on a first end and a driving gear on a second end. A driven shaft has a driven gear. The method comprises: rotating the driven shaft; measuring an axial displacement of one of the first and second helical gears with respect to the engine casing; selecting a shim based at least in part on the measurement of the relative axial displacement; and placing the shim on the one of the first and second driveshafts at a position axially below the helical gear. A method of assembling a marine outboard engine comprising moving a height adjustment member from a first position to a second position based on the relative axial displacement is also disclosed. An outboard engine with first and second helical gears at different heights is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: BRP US Inc.Inventors: Laverne Tatge, Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 8246057Abstract: A vehicle has a straddle-type seat disposed on a frame. The straddle-type seat has at least one seating portion. A steering device is disposed forwardly of the seat. Left and right side supports are disposed laterally of the seating portion. The side supports have respective support surfaces facing laterally inwardly. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current rotation of the steering device in response to a current degree of rotation of the steering device. The support surfaces move in a direction of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when a force is exerted thereon in a direction opposite a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. A method of supporting a rider is also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Jean Daunais
-
Publication number: 20110284305Abstract: A vehicle has a straddle-type seat disposed on a frame. The straddle-type seat has at least one seating portion. A steering device is disposed forwardly of the seat. Left and right side supports are disposed laterally of the seating portion. The side supports have respective support surfaces facing laterally inwardly. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current rotation of the steering device in response to a current degree of rotation of the steering device. The support surfaces move in a direction of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when a force is exerted thereon in a direction opposite a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. A method of supporting a rider is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2009Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Jose Boisjoli, Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 7530345Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body, a seat, an engine, a throttle body, a throttle valve, a throttle valve actuator, a throttle operator, a throttle operator position sensor, a cruise control switch, and a vehicle speed sensor. An ECU controls operation of the engine in one of a normal operation mode and a cruise control operation mode. When in the normal operation mode, the ECU sends a first control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the throttle operator position signal. When the cruise control switch engages the cruise control operation mode, the ECU sends a second control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the vehicle speed signal such that the vehicle speed is maintained at a vehicle cruising speed. The ECU returns to the normal operation mode when the throttle operator position becomes less than or equal to a reference throttle operator position.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Renald Plante, Dominic Dagenais, Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 7380538Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle body, a seat, an engine, an ECU, a throttle body, a throttle valve, a throttle valve actuator, a throttle operator, and a throttle operator position sensor. A shifter is disposed on the vehicle in proximity to the seat for selecting a vehicle operation direction between a forward direction and a reverse direction. A vehicle operation direction sensor senses the vehicle operation direction. The ECU limits a maximum speed of the vehicle when it operates in the reverse direction. In another aspect, the ECU limits the degree of opening of the throttle valve when it operates in the reverse direction. Methods of controlling an engine are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Marc Gagnon, Jean Daunais
-
Patent number: 7018252Abstract: A watercraft includes a watercraft control mechanism that is capable of steering, decelerating, and/or trimming a watercraft without causing the stern to elevate and the bow to dive; steers or assists steering in off-power situations; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that can be stowed or retracted to minimize hydrodynamic drag at high speeds; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that does not become clogged or jammed by seaweed or flotsam or foreign objects floating in the water; and decelerates or assists in decelerating a watercraft in a smooth and stable manner when the watercraft is travelling at high speeds.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Richard Simard, Normand Beauregard, Yves Berthiaume, Robert Bourret, Jean Daunais, Daniel Nadeau, Martin Pelletier, Gilles Pesant, Sam Spade, Martin Talbot
-
Patent number: 6708653Abstract: A valve in the flow aperture of a removable coolant reservoir enables coolant to flow between the reservoir and a coolant system while preventing the coolant in the reservoir from spilling when the reservoir is disconnected from the coolant system. A filling tube with a lower end and an air escape passage discourage users from overfilling the reservoir. Once the coolant level reaches the lower end, fluid accumulates in the filling tube, thereby indicating to the user that the reservoir is full. The air escape passage then gradually allows displaced air to escape and coolant in the filling tube to enter the reservoir. An overflow port and tube attached to the filling tube divert excess coolant away from the reservoir. A bleed tube, a bleed port, and a barrier in the reservoir remove bubbles from the coolant system and prevent the removed bubbles from reentering the coolant system.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Gilbert Lefrançois, Daniel Duceppe, Jean Daunais
-
Publication number: 20030127035Abstract: A watercraft includes a watercraft control mechanism that is capable of steering, decelerating, and/or trimming a watercraft without causing the stern to elevate and the bow to dive; steers or assists steering in off-power situations; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that can be stowed or retracted to minimize hydrodynamic drag at high speeds; steers, trims and/or decelerates a watercraft, or assists in steering, trimming, and/or decelerating a watercraft that does not become clogged or jammed by seaweed or flotsam or foreign objects floating in the water; and decelerates or assists in decelerating a watercraft in a smooth and stable manner when the watercraft is travelling at high speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Richard Simard, Normand Beauregard, Yves Berthiaume, Robert Bourret, Jean Daunais, Daniel Nadeau, Martin Pelletier, Gilles Pesant, Sam Spade, Martin Talbot
-
Publication number: 20020157621Abstract: A valve in the flow aperture of a removable coolant reservoir enables coolant to flow between the reservoir and a coolant system while preventing the coolant in the reservoir from spilling when the reservoir is disconnected from the coolant system. A filling tube with a lower end and an air escape passage discourage users from overfilling the reservoir. Once the coolant level reaches the lower end, fluid accumulates in the filling tube, thereby indicating to the user that the reservoir is full. The air escape passage then gradually allows displaced air to escape and coolant in the filling tube to enter the reservoir. An overflow port and tube attached to the filling tube divert excess coolant away from the reservoir. A bleed tube, a bleed port, and a barrier in the reservoir remove bubbles from the coolant system and prevent the removed bubbles from reentering the coolant system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Gilbert Lefrancois, Daniel Duceppe, Jean Daunais